EP2317478A1 - Method and system for viewing a coating of a surface. - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves choosing a coating, and determining an elementary piece (P) of the coating by selection of the piece from a database in which a set of elementary pieces used for forming the coating is loaded. Elementary patterns (M) are determined by selecting elements to be matched on a screen (4) by directing the selected elements and by bringing the elements together to form the patterns. The elementary patterns are assembled together. The assembled elementary patterns are visualized on the screen. An independent claim is also included for a system for visualization of a coating of a surface.

Description

The invention generally relates to the simulation of changes of coating on a surface and more particularly relates to the simulation of a change of coating on a digital image of a surface of a room of a dwelling.

It also relates, in general, the visualization of a surface coating, that is to say a tool to help create a coating simulating the assembly and the actual laying of the coating.

It is thus, in particular, to allow a user to simulate changes in scenery within his home.

There already exist, in the state of the art, methods and systems allowing a user to proceed with such coating change simulations. In this respect, reference may be made to French patent no. 0 505 835 , on behalf of the present applicant, which proposes a tool allowing a user to take pictures of a surface of which it is necessary to model a change of material and to apply on the digital image thus obtained, surface coatings , such as tiling, parquet, paint or wallpaper in order to present the user the corresponding results.

The method described in this document recommends the use of a grid which is superimposed and deformed on the surface to be simulated in order to take into account the perspective of the surface.

We can also refer to the documents EP-A-0 687 372 and US-A-5,537,638 which describe other surface change simulation techniques.

According to conventional techniques, the coating to be applied to the surface to be decorated is chosen from a set of coatings previously stored in memory.

Therefore, when the coating consists of a set of additional pieces arranged to form repeating patterns, which is the case when it comes to simulate the application of a tile or a parquet, it is not possible to simulate changes in patterns without having previously stored in memory, which unacceptably increases the capacity of the storage means implemented.

In any event, in the methods proposed by the state of the art, it is not possible to customize a coating by modifying the arrangement of the various parts forming part of the repeated patterns of the coating.

The invention therefore proposes to increase the realism of the simulation of a coating of a surface, by allowing a configuration of the repetitive patterns of the coating as well as the assembly mode of the patterns thus personalized.

• choix du revêtement et détermination d'au moins une pièce élémentaire du revêtement ;
• détermination d'un motif élémentaire répétitif ;
• assemblage des motifs élémentaires ;
• visualisation des motifs assemblés.

The invention therefore has, according to a first aspect, a method of visualizing a coating of a surface, by creating a digital image of the coating, comprising the steps of:

• choice of coating and determination of at least one elementary part of the coating;
• determining a repetitive elemental pattern;
• assembly of basic patterns;
• visualization of assembled patterns.

Thus, thanks to the determination of the elementary pattern and the choice of the repeating mode of the elementary pattern to form the coating, it is possible to customize the coating, and therefore to provide increased functionality to the user.

This method may further comprise a step of choosing a repeating mode of the elementary pattern.

Such a method thus constitutes an editing tool for simulating on an image the assembly and the laying of a coating.

According to another characteristic, during the determination of the repetitive elementary pattern, said pattern is created by assembling a set of at least one part.

In one embodiment, a joint width is chosen between the parts of the coating.

It is still possible, when determining an elementary pattern and when assembling the elementary patterns, to select on a screen one of the elements or patterns to match, orient the selected elements or patterns, and bring them together to form the pattern or said pattern assembly.

For example, the approximation comprises a magnetization tending to bias the selected elements or patterns towards each other up to a distance corresponding to the width of the joint.

According to yet another characteristic of the method, during the assembly of the patterns, the displacement of one of the patterns causes a corresponding displacement of previously assembled patterns with respect to an original pattern.

We then simplify the configuration and assembly of the elementary patterns.

The method may further include a step of choosing seal color.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise a step of storing elementary patterns for laying the coating and / or assembling patterns for each chosen coating.

It is also possible to provide a step of applying the assembled patterns to a digital image of said surface, comprising putting into perspective the assembly of the patterns as a function of the perspective of the image.

• application d'une structure géométrique prédéterminée déformable sur l'image de la surface ;
• déformation de ladite structure géométrique de manière à la faire coïncider à la perspective de la surface ; et
• acquisition de caractéristiques dimensionnelles de la surface, l'application des motifs assemblés étant réalisée en fonction de la déformation de la structure géométrique et des caractéristiques dimensionnelles de la surface.

According to yet another embodiment, this method comprises the steps of:

• applying a predetermined deformable geometric structure to the image of the surface;
• deforming said geometric structure to coincide with the perspective of the surface; and
• acquisition of dimensional characteristics of the surface, the application of the assembled patterns being carried out as a function of the deformation of the geometric structure and the dimensional characteristics of the surface.

The subject of the invention is also, according to a second aspect, a system for visualizing a coating of a surface for the implementation of a method as defined above.

This system comprises a display device able to display coating pieces and paired patterns, and a processing unit associated with a man-machine interface adapted to choose a coating and to determine at least one elementary piece of the coating, to determine a pattern elementary repetitive, choose a repetition mode of the elementary pattern and assemble the elementary patterns.

The processing unit is further adapted to choose a repeating mode of the elementary pattern.

This system may further include a database in which a set of coating pieces are stored and, for each piece, one or more predetermined patterns.

• la figure 1 est un schéma synoptique d'un système de simulation conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est un organigramme illustrant les principales étapes du procédé de simulation conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une copie d'écran illustrant l'étape de choix d'une pièce élémentaire du revêtement et de création d'un motif élémentaire ;
• la figure 4 illustre l'étape de sélection de la largeur de joint ;
• la figure 5 est une copie d'écran illustrant un autre mode de mise en oeuvre de choix de pièces élémentaires et de création d'un motif élémentaire ;
• les figures 6 et 7 illustrent l'étape d'assemblage des motifs élémentaires ; et
• les figures 8 et 9 montrent l'étape de visualisation des motifs assemblés, pour deux couleurs de joint sélectionnées.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a block diagram of a simulation system according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of the simulation method according to the invention;
• the figure 3 is a screen shot illustrating the step of choosing an elementary piece of the coating and creating a basic pattern;
• the figure 4 illustrates the step of selecting the joint width;
• the figure 5 is a screenshot illustrating another embodiment of choice of elementary parts and creation of a basic pattern;
• the figures 6 and 7 illustrate the assembly step of the elementary patterns; and
• the figures 8 and 9 show the step of viewing the assembled patterns, for two selected seal colors.

Referring to the figure 1 the general architecture of a visualization system of a surface coating according to the invention, designated by the general reference numeral 1, will firstly be described.

This system is a simulation tool intended primarily to allow a user to simulate the creation of a coating by assembling patterns by viewing a digital image of the coating during its assembly, and, secondly, to allow the visualization of changes of coating on a surface to visualize the effects of a modification of the coating on the walls, the floor or the ceiling of a living room.

But it is not beyond the scope of the invention when the system is intended to simulate a change of coating for any other type of room or, in general, for any other type of surface.

Similarly, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the system is arranged around a microcomputer 2 associated with a processing unit 3, in which is loaded a simulation software for implementing the coating simulation method.

However, it is not beyond the scope of the invention when the simulation algorithm is implemented within a remote server accessible from a set of user stations via a computer network, such as the network. Internet.

As we see on the figure 1 , in the exemplary embodiment shown, the microcomputer 2, which is constituted by traditional equipment, essentially comprises a screen 4 and a keyboard 5 connected to the processing unit 3.

For example, in the embodiment envisaged, the system 1 is intended to make it possible to simulate the application of a coating of the tiled or parquet type, that is to say constituted by the assembly of repeating patterns constituted by each of the assembly of selected elementary parts.

Thus, the central unit comprises, on the one hand, storage means 6 constituting a database in which are loaded a set of elementary pieces intended to form a coating, for example a set of types of tiles or floorboards intended to be assembled to form elementary patterns. The central unit comprises, on the other hand, a first software module 7 intended to constitute, together with the screen 4, the keyboard 5 and a mouse S, a human-machine interface intended to present on the screen 4 a set windows for choosing the elementary parts, to assemble them to form elementary patterns, and assemble the elementary patterns to create the coating, and a second software module 8 ensuring the actual simulation of the coating.

For example, the first software module 7 allows the display, on the screen 2, of a first window 9 constituting a main window for viewing an elementary part, a pattern or the coating being created, a second window 10 associated with scroll arrows F for the selection of elementary parts, and a third window 11 also associated with scroll arrows F for viewing and changing previously recorded pose patterns. The first software module 7 also provides the user with a first icon 12a for recording a pose type created and a second icon 12b for generating a new pose.

Two complementary windows 13 and 14 respectively make it possible to manage the selection of an element, for example by allowing its deletion as well as to manage its positioning, in this case its angular position, and to choose a width and a joint color.

Regarding the second software module 8, it allows, in collaboration with the windows and icons displayed on the screen 2, to create a pattern and assemble the patterns to create a coating.

This module 8 comprises for this purpose a first stage 15 for allowing to choose an elementary part; a second stage 16 for selecting a joint width; a third stage 17 allowing the creation of a pattern; a fourth stage 18 for configuring the repetition of the pattern; a fifth floor 19 allowing to choose the color of the joint; and a sixth stage 20 for storing, viewing and operating the pose.

Thus, after creating and viewing the pose, it is loaded into memory 6 to form a database for later retrieval by the user.

Referring to the figure 2 for the simulation of a coating, during a first step E1, it is decided to create a pose or to load a pose previously stored in memory 6.

To do this, either we select a pose using the window 11, or we select the 12b icon to create a new pose.

In the case where the user wishes to recover a previously created pose, for which the elementary patterns and their assembly have already been configured, it is possible directly to apply the coating on a previously prepared surface.

In the opposite case, that is to say if the user wishes to create a new pose, in the following step E2, it is necessary to choose a joint width.

In the following step E3, the pattern is defined. To do this, it selects, using the window 10, an elementary part and is proceeded to the assembly of these parts in a configuration chosen by the user so as to create a repeating pattern.

Referring to the figure 3 for example, the user positions the elementary pieces P chosen relative to each other, bringing them together and orienting them so as to create the elementary pattern M. It will be noted that the second software module 8 makes it possible to create an effect of magnetization which allows the user, by simple approximation of two elements, to solicit them to each other, or, in other words, to attract them until they are brought closer to a distance corresponding to the joint width.

So, referring to the figure 4 a modification of the joint width J entered with the aid of the window 14 makes it possible, when the pattern M is created, to space or bring the elementary pieces together relative to one another.

It will be noted that depending on the coatings to be created, a pattern may comprise any set of parts, for example at least one part.

In the exemplary embodiment of the figure 5 , the pattern comprises here, on the one hand, a main elementary piece P and, on the other hand, an elementary secondary part, here a cabochon C.

In the following step E4, the definition of the repetition of the pattern is chosen.

Of course, this step can be performed automatically, the module being responsible for automatically performing the repetition of the pattern.

So, referring to the figure 6 during this step, it is advisable to position several patterns relative to each other and then to bring them together so as to indicate to the module 8 the type of repetition that one wishes to obtain. Note that during this step, it is simply necessary to assemble a small number of patterns, the module 8 is responsible for assembling successively all the patterns so as to obtain the complete coating.

It will also be noted that, during this step, with respect to an original pattern M1, the bringing together of another module M2 with respect to this original module M1 brings about the simultaneous bringing together of all the other motifs. Of course, during this step, the software module 8 provides the aforementioned magnetization effect so as to allow an automatic approximation of the patterns to obtain the preselected joint width.

We thus obtain a repetition of patterns as visible on the figure 7 . In the next step E5, the second software module 8 acquires a seal color entered by the user by means of the window 14, and then presents the user with the pose thus obtained on the main window 9.

Of course, at this stage, as visible on the figure 9 , the user has the opportunity to change the seal color so to visualize the modification of the overall visual impression thus obtained.

Finally, during the next step E6, the second software module 8 proceeds to the storage and operation of the pose.

To do this, it first stores in memory the pose thus created in order to be subsequently displayed and retrieved from the window 11 visible on the screen 4.

Furthermore, during operation, the second software module 8 proceeds to the application of the image of the coating on a digital image of a surface to be decorated.

For this purpose, the central unit 3 comprises a third software module 21 for surface preparation.

This third module 21 allows a user to download a digital image or to recover it in memory for display on screen 2.

It also allows delimiting the contour of a surface to be decorated, for example the contour of a wall or a floor, that is to say to delimit an image portion representing a substantially flat surface. The third module 21 is also duly programmed to apply a predetermined deformable geometric structure, in this case a grid, on the delimited image portion, and to deform the grid so as to correspond to the image portion and to acquire, in this way, the perspective of the surface to be decorated. It also implements a scaling step, whereby the user manually enters, for example by means of the keyboard 5, a measurement of a length of the defined surface, for example along one or two grid axes, this grid can then be adjusted, for example by adapting the number of rows and columns of the grid according to the size of the surface corresponding to the grid.

From these geometric data thus acquired, the module 21 proceeds to the adaptation of the coating so as to match its perspective to that of the image of the surface to be decorated.

Claims (14)

A method of visualizing a surface coating, by creating a digital image of the coating, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - selection of the coating and determination of at least one elementary part (P) of the coating by selecting said part from a database in which are loaded a set of elementary parts intended to form a coating; - Determining a repeating unitary pattern (M), in which one selects on a screen elements to be matched, orients the selected elements, and they are brought together so as to form the pattern; - assembly of elementary patterns; - visualization of assembled patterns. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a step of choosing a repeating mode of the elementary pattern. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that during the determination of the repeating elementary pattern, said pattern is created by assembling an assembly of at least one part. Process according to claim 3, characterized in that a joint width (J) is also chosen between the parts of the coating. Process according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that during the assembly of the elementary patterns, one of the patterns to be matched is selected on a screen (4), the selected patterns are oriented, and they are brought closer to each other. to form said pattern assembly. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the approximation comprises a magnetization tending to bias the selected elements or patterns towards each other up to a distance corresponding to a joint width (J). Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that during the assembly of the patterns, the movement of one of the patterns causes a corresponding displacement of previously assembled patterns with respect to an original pattern . Process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a step of selecting the joint color (J). Process according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a step of storing elementary patterns of laying of coating and / or assembly of patterns for each chosen coating. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a step of applying the assembled patterns to a digital image of said surface, comprising putting into perspective the assembly of the patterns in function from the perspective of the image. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: applying a deformable predetermined geometric structure to the image of the surface; deformation of the geometrical structure so as to make it coincide with the perspective of the surface; and acquisition of dimensional characteristics of the surface, the application of the assembled patterns being carried out as a function of the deformation of the geometric structure and the dimensional characteristics of the surface. System for visualizing a coating of a surface for carrying out a process according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises: - A display device capable of displaying coated parts and matching patterns; a processing unit associated with a man-machine interface adapted to choose a coating and to determine at least one an elementary part of the coating; determine a repetitive elementary pattern; and assemble the elementary patterns. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the processing unit is adapted to select a repeating mode of the elementary pattern. System according to one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that it further comprises a database (6) in which are stored a set of coating pieces and one or more predetermined patterns for each piece.

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